Cecil County Sheriff's Office deputies were called to a home in the unit block of AJS Court in Elkton around midnight Tuesday, where they said a bullet fell from the sky and lodged in the girl's brain.

Officers said several people were outside watching fireworks when the girl, who family identified to 11 News as Aaliyah Boyer, of Manheim, Pa., collapsed.

People at the scene said they had no idea what happened her.

"I mean, one minute, she was fine, the next, on the ground. Nobody knew what happened. (There was) nothing suspicious, it was just, boom, she was on the ground," said Ashley Rice, the girl's aunt. "At first, we were like, 'Hey get up,' and she didn't get up."

Aaliyah was listed in critical condition at A.I. Dupont Children's Hospital in Wilmington, Del., until Thursday morning, when sheriff's officials said she died.

Police told 11 News they believe Alliyah was hit by a stray bullet as area residents fired off guns to celebrate the New Year.

"What we believe to be celebratory gunfire for New Year's Eve, and we believe that one of the rounds from the gunfire struck to girl on the top of the head," said Cecil County Sheriff's Office Lt. Michael Holmes.

After she collapsed, the adults carried her inside and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation, thinking she must have passed out and hit her head. It wasn't until paramedics arrived and took her to the hospital that they learned of the stray bullet.

"It went in her head and went back through the back of her head into her brain stem," Rice said. "(She's an) innocent little child standing in her own yard, enjoying her evening and her life basically got taken from somebody else's hand, and it's just a shame."

Police are trying to figure out the caliber of gun used and have been going door to door. Neighbors told 11 News that authorities have even confiscated some guns.

Anyone with information on the incident is urged to call Sgt. Joseph Wilson at 410-392-2117.

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